50. Mike Green

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Mike Green has been banged up this season, but his six points in eight games is not terrible production. His defensive play leaves a bit to be desired, but his presence in Washington's lineup is incredibly valuable.

49. Jeff Carter

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Surprise, surprise. Jeff Carter spent some more time on injured reserve this season. However, since returning to the lineup, Carter has been as productive as usual. Rumors are swirling that he is far from happy in Columbus, but he is still one of the best pure scorers in hockey, happy or not.

42. Taylor Hall

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Taylor Hall is currently injured, so I slid him down a few spots in my rankings. However, Hall has been a stud when healthy this season. I'm getting concerned that durability could be an issue with Hall. If he stays on the ice, this team is only going to get better and better.

41. Jeff Skinner

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I love what I have seen out of Jeff Skinner this season. Not only is he evolving as an offensive weapon, but he is developing a mean streak and great competitiveness that will make him a tremendous leader down the line.

39. Tyler Seguin

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After struggling a bit as a rookie, Tyler Seguin has burst onto the scene for the Boston Bruins in year two.

He currently has 23 points and the best plus minus in the league through 22 games. The sophomore winger is the best offensive weapon on the Bruins and carried them through the early season Stanley Cup hangover.

36. Ryan Miller

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Ryan Miller takes a slide on this list due to his early season slump and recent concussion. Something was off with Miller even prior to his injury, and I don't imagine a concussion is what the doctor ordered for the Sabres goalie to get on track.

I get the feeling that Jhonas Enroth is the long term answer for the Sabres in net, and Ryan Miller could be on the way out of town in 3-5 years.

32. Anze Kopitar

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Anze Kopitar has truly come into his own as an elite player in the NHL. Kopitar was the most valuable player for the L.A. Kingslast season, as evident by the fact that the Kings weren't able to escape the first round of the playoffs after Kopitar went down with injury.

28. Marc-Andre Fleaury

After Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin went down with injury last season, Fleury was forced to carry the Penguins and did so effectively, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

For a number of seasons, critics were quick to point out Fleury's flaws and say that he was not worthy of the No. 1 overall selection that Pittsburgh spent on him in 2003.

However, after winning the Stanley Cup and proving that he can carry the team on his own, Fleury has established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL and a crucial part of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

26. Carey Price

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Carey Price still hasn't reached his prime. He has fluid lateral movement and picture-perfect fundamentals. Occasionally, Price lacks a killer instinct. However, as he matures, the Canadien net minder should develop into one of the best in the NHL.

24. Rich Nash

Rick Nash might be the best power forward in the NHL, which limits his productivity, but certainly not his value. Playing anywhere else in the NHL, Nash would be a perennial MVP candidate.

Unfortunately, the first overall draft choice in 2002 finds himself stuck in the wasteland of Columbus with very little talent around him. Jeff Carter is starting to pick things up, so maybe Nash will be able to get it going in the coming weeks.

21. Tim Thomas

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Tim Thomas is once again shutting down opposing offenses night in and night out. He is as focused as I've ever seen a goaltender. For anyone wondering what it means to be mentally tough, just watch Thomas perform on a nightly basis.

17. Ryan Getzlaf

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Despite playing in just 67 games due to injury last season, Ryan Getzlaf managed to collect 76 points for Anaheim.

Getzlaf is a rare power forward at the center position, and he is one of the best in the NHL. The trio of Getzlaf, Ryan and Perry is the meanest line in the NHL. Meanwhile, they are all still young and just hitting the prime of their careers.

Getzlaf and the Ducks are hoping they can get back on track after stumbling out to a pedestrian start this fall.

13. Henrik Zetterberg

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Believe it or not, there was a time when Henrik Zetterberg was in the discussion as the best player in the NHL. Of course, the influx of young talent such as Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin has caused him to slide down the list a bit.

However, the former seventh-round draft choice is still one of the league's elite forwards, as evidenced by the fact that he once again finished in the top 10 in scoring last year with 80 points. Zetterberg is off to a slow start this season, however.

12. Jonathan Toews

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The Chicago Blackhawks and Jonathan Toews are off to a roaring start to the 2011-2012 NHL season. Toews has piled up 25 points in 24 games and the Hawks sit comfortably in first place of the Central Division.

Toews has become an elite two way player and one of the best captains in the league.

9. Martin St. Louis

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Martin St. Louis has been defying the odds and silencing his critics since he entered the NHL back in the late 1990s. At just 5'9'', St. Louis was considered too small by most scouts which caused him to go undrafted.

However, size has not been an issue, as St. Louis has missed just two games in the last eight season, while reaching at least 60 points in each of those years.

At 35 years of age, St. Louis still has it. Tampa's winger collected the second-most points in the league last season with 99. He has aided the development and production of superstar Steven Stamkos and been an intricate aspect of the Lighting's success.

His production will only improve with the continued development of Steven Stamkos.

7. Shea Weber

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Shea Weber has been absolutely phenomenal on the back end for a disciplined Nashville Predators team. He continually shut down opposing scorers and is able to make significant contributions in the offensive zone.

Between the Preds' brilliant system, the top pairing of Suter and Weber, and Rinne's play between the pipes, they are the best defensive team in hockey.

6. Nicklas Lidstrom

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For those who think Nicklas Lidstrom is finished, think again. Lidstrom is still the best all-around defenseman in the world, even at the age of 41.

Detroit's captain finished last season with 62 points, his highest total since '07-'08. However, his influence cannot be felt on the stats alone. The Swedish blueliner still provides quality play on both ends of the ice and is a tremendous leader for Detroit.

5. Henrik Lundqvist

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Henrik Lundvist has established himself as a world class goaltender. Despite playing on a less than average team over the years, Lundvist always managed to keep the Rangers in every single game. In addition, New York is always in the playoff hunt due at large to King Henrik's services.

Now surrounded by more talent, the Swedish net minder has a shot to achieve playoff glory this year.

1. Sidney Crosby

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Sidney Crosby is the best player in the NHL today.

After missing nearly a calendar year due to a concussion, Crosby has returned to post 8 points in his first four games back. He may have missed the early portion of the 2011-2012 season, but Crosby is on pace to post another very productive season.

Crosby's prowess in both ends makes him the best player in the league, in my opinion.